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Doolan addresses anti war press conference

Sinn Féin Representative for Dublin South East, Daithí Doolan, speaking
today at the anti war press conference, called on the Irish government to
use it's Presidency of the EU to promote peace and dialogue.

Mr. Doolan said:

"This Saturday marks the first anniversary of the US, British and Allied
troops going to war in Iraqi, which has led to the ongoing occupation. The
question we need to be asking is, has this illegal war and continued
occupation made the world safer and more peaceful. I firmly believe that the
answer is clearly no. The world is in fact less safe than it was 12 months
ago."

The press conference held today in Buswells Hotel was organised jointly by
the Irish Anti War Movement, Peace And Neutrality Alliance and the NGO
Alliance for Peace. The press conference highlighted the forthcoming march
to be be held this Saturday, March 20th. The March is being organised to
highlight the ongoing illegal occupations of Iraq and Palestine.

Mr. Doolan said:

"The Irish people know only too well the causes and the consequences of
occupation. We have continued to struggle for unity, peace and freedom on
our own shores and as we look further a field we see the same division being
perpetrated by western colonial powers in the Middle East.

Allied forces need to withdraw from Iraq as a matter of urgency and we must
then ensure that the UN have the power and resources to oversee a
transformation to national democracy. While in Palestine the Israeli forces
must withdraw from the occupied territories and enter into dialogue with the
Palestinian leadership. We understand that it is only through such dialogue
with your opponents can trust be built on. Politics of exclusion never
works, be it in the Middle East or in Ireland."

In conclusion Mr. Doolan called on: "Everyone to play their part this
Saturday and come out and support this march for peace. We can use this
opportunity to send a clear message, the Irish people want a peaceful world
free from occupation and division and this means our government must stop
Shannon being used to fuel US war planes." ENDS